Zócalo - Yanapai

Zócalo - Yanapai

This father and daughter company was formed in 2009 to support rural farmers producing native Peruvian products. Cecilia Pardo is the commercial arm of the company, working to create markets for her farmers at fair prices and to help them obtain organic certification. Her father, Mauro Paura, works directly with the farmers on a regular basis through his work with the non-profit CEAR (Centro de Apoyo Rural) to improve their cultivation methods and to introduce them to organic practices. They work with producers in several regions of Peru, focusing on beans (Palomito, Canario, Pussac Punay, Caballero, Renkino), maize (3 types), quinoa, vegetables, and the production of marmalades.

The beans are grown in the Huancalavilca region (at the border with Junin), outside of Huancayo, an area that is truly disconnected with the outside world. An association of farmers has been formed to cultivate organic beans. Each producer has between 3-8 parcels (1000-4000 sq meters each), for a total of 40 parcels in organic production. Each farmer selects and saves their own seeds and exchanges them amongst their farming community.

Because of the remoteness of their region, it is difficult for the farmers to bring their product to market and have historically been forced to sell to intermediaries that pay below market rates. Yanapai has enabled the farmers to sell their products at a fair price. In addition, the company pays for all certifications, packing materials, and training programs.

Yanapai is one of our sources for Pussac Punay beans. Zócalo has begun working with several other communities to source these wonderful beans.